Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is an important crystalline compound for various different industries. This white colored material shows a high refractive index, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, lightness, high corrosion resistance, high thermal stability, low ion release, and non-magnetic properties.The most common crystalline structures of TiO₂ are rutile, anatase, brookite, and monoclinic. Rutile and anatase structures have been more widely studied due to their higher photoactivity. Rutile TiO₂ is more stable than the anatase and brookite forms while anatase structure shows a wider band gap (3.2 eV) and higher surface area than rutile. Interestingly, the mixed rutile/anatase phase of TiO₂ provides higher photoactivity than either pure phase. Important applications of TiO₂ are listed as;

• As white pigment and opacity agent (paints, toothpaste, plastics, food colorants…)
• Cosmetics (ointments and sunscreens)
• Photocatalysts for hydrogen generation
• Photoelectrodes ( photo splitting water, and solar energy conversion)
• Sensors
• Anti-bacterial agents
• Batteries/supercapacitors and so on.